It's been an uneventful couple of weeks on the Star Wars front, which can either mean everyone in the galaxy far, far away needs a bit of rest after the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, or that this is the calm before the promotional storm for Star Wars: Episode VIII. Either way, enjoy the downtime while you can... and here are some things to think about while hiding at the end of an underground ladder, Jyn Erso-style.
Source: Lucasfilm itself
Probability of Accuracy: It's an official statement that put many minds at rest, so let's go with entirely accurate and thank you very much.
The Real Deal: Let's start with the important stuff. In response to a number of rumors circulating online, Lucasfilm issued a statement last weekend that affirmed that the studio is not planning to CGI Carrie Fisher back to life in future Star Wars movies. "We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa," the statement ran. "Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars." While it's sad that this needed to be stated in the first place, let's be happy that Lucasfilm quickly confirmed that it would be doing the right thing, and leaving the young Leia as seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to be a one-time deal.
Source: Marvel Entertainment's PR department
Probability of Accuracy: Let's go with "probably pretty good, considering."
The Real Deal: Speaking of Rogue One, Marvel Entertainment will be following up its comic adaptation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with a six-issue adaptation of Rogue One launching this April. Written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Emilio Laiso, the series won't just be a straight transference of what was onscreen in the movie, however. Houser told Marvel's website, "[Director] Gareth Edwards and Lucasfilm had a number of ideas for moments that didn’t fit in the film that I’m working with. There are also some amazing moments in the novelization I want to incorporate. So it’s really a mix of material from existing versions of the story, as well as new scenes." So, if you're wondering where to get a slightly fuller version of events, don't wait for a Blu-ray release, just place an order at your local comic store.
Source: Rian Johnson's teasin' ways
Probability of Accuracy: Well, it's not like he actually gives away any concrete information...
The Real Deal: We're now in the year that Star Wars: Episode VIII comes out, so of course director Rian Johnson is giving interviews about the movie and teasing a lot without saying anything. Talking to USA Today, he said that he "want[s the movie] to be a blast and to be funny and to be a ride the way The Force Awakens and the original Star Wars movies were," as opposed to the uber-dark feature some were expecting. Finn, Rey, and Poe will get a lot of attention, apparently ("I wanted to know more about each of them, and that doesn’t just mean information or backstory… Figure out what’s the most difficult thing each of them could be challenged with now"), but the returned Luke Skywalker might end up being the fulcrum around whom the entire movie revolves. "I’m approaching [him] with a take that I hope feels honest and real and is going to be interesting to folks and make sense," Johnson teased. Oh, and for those waiting to call the movie anything but Episode VIII, it turns out there's been a title all along, it's just that we don't know it yet. "It was in the very first draft I wrote," Johnson teased. Just tell us what it is, then.
Source: Anonymous sources, sharing things that might be facts to fan sites
Probability of Accuracy: As with all online rumors, who can say? But they sure sound cool.
The Real Deal: While we're on the subject of Episode VIII, the Making Star Wars site is reporting that Kylo Ren is going to step up his Darth Vader hero worship in the new movie. How, you ask? Well, not only is he apparently going to add a Vader-esque cloak to his already billowing outfit, but he's going to start piloting a special design of the TIE fighter, as well. "The fuselage is sort of pill-shaped like the TIE striker in Rogue One," said the site. "They actually built the ship physically at Pinewood according to our friends near the sets." This won't be the only new First Order craft seen in the movie; apparently, we'll also get a new generation of TIE bomber, as well. Does this suggest that we should expect some kind of space dogfighting in the next movie? Poe, fire up your X-wing.
Source: Han Solo's soon-to-be father figure himself, Woody Harrelson
Probability of Accuracy: What, you don't trust Woody?
The Real Deal: As we reported last time, Woody Harrelson—the original white man that couldn't jump himself—was in talks to sign on to the solo Han Solo movie slated for release next year. Since then, he's not only signed on officially, he's also started talking about what the role involves. Well, kind of. During a Facebook Live session, Harrelson said, "I'm a mentor to Han, but I'm also a bit of a criminal." But before anything else could get out, he added, "I don't think I should say much more than that because the Force is not allowing me." (He was just as reticent in an interview with Variety.) Rumors that Disney lawyers checking their NDAs are now called "the Force" have yet to be confirmed, unfortunately.
